10 more helpful tips for your layout
Smooth and steady steaming
It’s not surprising that postwar Lionel steam locomotives are extremely underpowered. They’re single-motor locomotives that must tow a heavy tender, so you’ll seldom get them to pull more than a dozen freight cars. Keep the wheel axles, side rods, and smoke-unit mechanism properly lubricated, as friction here can significantly sap the pulling power. Adding weight may also help some steamers with a zinc boiler. Try mounting the weight from a Lionel No. 2332 GG1 or No. 763E Hudson directly over the worm-wheel cover.
Build more muscle!
On some single-motor diesel and electric units, it’s possible to add a second motor. This isn’t always a simple or inexpensive process, as it involves altering the metal frame of a collectible item and purchasing one or more power trucks with the appropriate electrical contact rollers. If you’re up to the task, you’ll have a locomotive that should pull at least 40 heavy postwar freight cars without slipping.
Conserve power for pulling
Consider disconnecting your reversing mechanism (also known as an E-unit) when operating a heavy freight or illuminated passenger train on a long distance run. The E-unit creates a controlled short circuit, which deprives power to the motor used to pull the train. Along the same lines, blowing the whistle also robs the motor of power. If you’d prefer to run a train without using a whistle, try adding a fixed-voltage whistle shed or accessory along the track.
Re-directed diesels
When operating powered and unpowered pairs of Lionel’s postwar F3 and Alco FA locomotives, you can improve the torque and traction by running them with the un-powered unit in the lead position and the powered unit trailing behind. Operating in this configuration helps equalize the distribution of power, plus you’ll have fewer derailments.
All ZWs created equal?
After taking apart hundreds of Lionel ZW transformers, I can tell you there’s no internal difference between the 250-watt and 275-watt versions. When UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approval for a 275-watt toy train transformer didn’t come as quickly as planned, Lionel fudged the specification to create an acceptable 250-watt model. Neither model provides any more or less power than the other.
Regardless of which model you select, use a multi-meter to test that it’s performing properly. The reading at any two posts (AU, BU, CU, or DU), shouldn’t be more than 22 volts when the throttle is in full-open position.
Powerful combination
If your layout grows beyond a moderate-sized project, try combining multiple Lionel postwar transformers. I once built a layout that combined one TW, two ZWs, and four KW transformers. To effectively distribute the 1,485 watts of power, I wired the ZWs to exclusively handle four mainline trains, while the TW controlled the yard switching. That left the KW to provide power for lights, switches, and accessories.
Special KW
The 190-watt KW transformer is an unsung hero of Lionel’s postwar power sources. A KW, which also kicks out 22 volts of AC power at full-throttle, can be had for prices much less than the often-touted ZW. Even better, the boxy shape of the KW is far easier than the football-shaped ZW to accommodate on a control panel.
Loads of low-cost cars
Black gondolas (No. 6462) and silver tank cars (No. 6465) aren’t the most glamorous rolling stock in the Lionel line. But when you string about 15 or more identical cars together, you’ve got a realistic-looking train at an affordable price.
Buy several repainted F3 body shells
I take great pleasure in owning two, dual-motor Lionel F3 units – one silver chassis, one black – and numerous repainted and custom-painted body shells I can easily swap out. Although I like the model, owning a dozen complete F3s really didn’t make much sense to me. Instead, I prefer to spend my operating budget on track, switches, accessories, and other types of motive power.
Bring over the beginners
Invite friends, neighbors, and acquaintances you know from outside the hobby to visit your layout. Show them how much fun an operating layout – particularly those featuring smooth-running trains and working accessories – can be. They might just want to try it themselves.
Get more layout tips from Len in this article.
